Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. The article discusses the need for effective treatment of severe COVID-19, highlighting the potential role of cytokine storm syndromes and hyperinflammation. It notes that secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome associated with severe COVID-19, characterized by fever, cytopenias, and hyperferritinaemia. Elevated ferritin and IL-6 levels are predictors of mortality. The article recommends using existing therapies to treat hyperinflammation, including immunosuppression. It also discusses the use of IL-1 and IL-6 blockers in treating hyperinflammation. The HScore is a tool for identifying secondary HLH, with high sensitivity and specificity. The article emphasizes the importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for hyperinflammation using laboratory tests and the HScore. It also mentions the potential benefits of JAK inhibition in treating COVID-19. The authors declare no competing interests. The article concludes that the WHO's declaration of a pandemic helps clarify terminology and highlights the need for international cooperation in controlling the spread of the virus.Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. The article discusses the need for effective treatment of severe COVID-19, highlighting the potential role of cytokine storm syndromes and hyperinflammation. It notes that secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome associated with severe COVID-19, characterized by fever, cytopenias, and hyperferritinaemia. Elevated ferritin and IL-6 levels are predictors of mortality. The article recommends using existing therapies to treat hyperinflammation, including immunosuppression. It also discusses the use of IL-1 and IL-6 blockers in treating hyperinflammation. The HScore is a tool for identifying secondary HLH, with high sensitivity and specificity. The article emphasizes the importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for hyperinflammation using laboratory tests and the HScore. It also mentions the potential benefits of JAK inhibition in treating COVID-19. The authors declare no competing interests. The article concludes that the WHO's declaration of a pandemic helps clarify terminology and highlights the need for international cooperation in controlling the spread of the virus.